The Top Ten Disney World Rides for Teens

Walt Disney World is full of rides that invoke nostalgia, that bring out your sense of fun, that tie in to so many beloved Disney movies. Unfortunately, teenagers aren't likely to experience as much fun from Peter Pan's Flight or Dumbo the Flying Elephant as younger children (or parents) might.

Indeed, there is the perception that teenagers need to visit Universal Studios, not Disney World, if they are looking for fun in Orlando. While it *is* true that Universal has a larger concentration of "extreme" rides, the fact is, there is plenty in Disney World to make a vacation magical even for an ultra cool teenager. In other articles, we will look at some of the other attractions, events, and activities for teens (and yes, there are many!), but today, our focus is on the top rides for teens at Disney World.

Honorable Mention. Mad Tea Party - Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
Yes, at first glance, a thrill-seeking teenager might condier spinning teacups to be far too tame. However, if the teacup in question only carries teenagers (or perhaps a mom or dad who laughs in the face of motion sickness), I challenge you to find the teen who can step right off of this ride and walk in a straight line. Since the riders of each teacup get to control how fast they spin, any teenaged rider worth his or her salt can whip themselves into a dizzied blur before the ride ends.

10. Splash Mountain - Frontierland, Magic Kingdom
Teenagers might roll thier eyes at the animatronic Brer Rabbit and friends, but odds are, they will be humming "zip-a-dee-doo-daa" after the ride. Cool or not, it's hard to find the teen who won't enjoy a 52 1/2 foot drop with a huge splash waiting at the bottom.

9. Soarin' - The Land Pavillion, Epcot
While not a thrill ride, Soarin' is simply a must experience attraction. Prepare to be strapped in and lifted up in a simulated hang glider flight over various parts of the world. The sensation of flight is breathtaking; even the most jaded teen will walk out smiling.

8. Space Mountain - Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
Certainly, the Space Mountain coaster itself would be considered fairly tame next to some of the extreme roller coasters we see being built today. However, the unique presentation - the fact that the ride takes place in the dark - brings an extremely fun element to the ride. Not knowing when you will drop, or what what way the next turn will go, makes for a fun ride for anyone, and is a huge reason why this ride stays so incredibly popular, year after year.

7. Test Track - Future World, Epcot
As with any Disney ride, we don't just get a ride - we get an in-depth experience. For Test Track, the ride's setting gives us a glimpse into automobile prototype testing. Of course, the reason teens will enjoy the ride will be the fact that it reaches speeds of up to 65 miles per hour on a 50 degree banked curve. The walk through a miniature GM showroom after the ride is a plus to any car buff, as well.

6. Kali River Rapids - Asia, Animal Kingdom
Disney is known for hot days, and Kali River Rapids makes a great cure for the heat. There are numerous signs posted to warn you that you will get wet, and they are mostly right; personally, I have been absolutely DRENCHED on this ride more than once. I have yet to meet the teen who doesn't enjoy a good water ride, and this one is definitely a good water ride.

5. Mission: SPACE - Future World, Epcot
Prepare to be strapped into a simulated space shuttle command module for a flight to Mars. This is the first known amusement park ride to actually provide motion sickness bags to riders - and for good reason. Riders are spun in a centrifuge (something akin to what actual astronauts use in training) - this creates up to 2.4 Gs of force on riders. During the blastoff portion, for instance, you are literally pinned to your seat!

4. Toy Story Midway Mania, Hollywood Studios
Put on your 3D glasses, hop into a car, and let the games begin! Stoic teens might try to feign disinterest, but even the coolest customer will have a tough time NOT enjoying this interactive attraction. Picture a series of old fashioned carnival games - breaking plates, popping baloons, throwing darts - but project them into three dimensions, coming one after another in rapid fire sequence, forcing you to rely on your partner if you want to earn a decent score.

This ride features some of the highest demand for fastpasses - and longest standby wait times - in all of Disney World. You'll find that a large slice of that demand comes from teens themselves.

3. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster staring Aerosmith - Hollywood Studios
One of the most extreme rides at Disney, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster launches from 0-60 MPH in 2.8 seconds, inverts three times, and blasts Aerosmith's music at high volume all the way through. Cool? Oh, yes.

2. Expidition Everest - Asia, Animal Kingdom
The tallest attraction in Disney, taking you 200 feet above the park, Expidition Everest is one of those rides you want to get right back on as soon as it is over. The ride itself reaches speeds of 50 MPH, with a great 80 foot drop - but what makes it unique (and so much fun), is the portion of the ride that causes you to go BACKWARDS down the mountain, through the dark.

1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Hollywood Studios
A thirteen story freefall sounds exciting, right? Well, the Tower of Terror accellerates FASTER than freefall, giving a more intense experience. Add to that the fact that the after the initial fall, you will be quickly raised up a random number of floors, then dropped again - this might happen twice, it might be three or four times - and you have the most intense thrill ride in Disney. Sure, the burned out hotel theme and the Twilight Zone story are great, and add to the elaborate theming - but this ride itself is capable of giving any teen the adrenaline rush they are looking for.

So, teens, take this list to heart. Disney World is more than character dining and kiddie rides! Make it a point to ride the entries on this top ten list, and find the cure for the kiddie ride blues.